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Thursday, January 28, 2016

Thon 2016 raises energy levels

by Alexandra Mangano

Staff Writer

In 1973, a group of students from Penn State University created THON to add excitement to their year. They wanted to give back to their community. Today, PSU has the longest dance marathon in the country that lasts a total of 46 hours. Penn State’s THON has grown to engage several other university, high school, middle school, and elementary students to raise money for pediatric cancer. New Hope Solebury high school is one of the schools that does THON.

The night started out with a THON dance in the high school gym. It lasted from 7-10:30 p.m. After 8 p.m., no more students were able to come in. At 10:30 p.m., the hotline bling video premiered. Several teachers were in the video and it was very funny. Throughout the 12 hours of THON there were several activities in the high school gym alone. There was an open gym from 11-12. Starting at 12 a.m. and ending at 1 a.m., there was a guest speaker and lmbo. Jump the donut was played from 1-2 a.m. and hot potato and musical chairs was played from 2-3 a.m. The hula hoopers competed from 3-4 a.m. Lastly, twister and bobbing for apples was done from 4-5 a.m.

The middle school gym had an abundance of activities as well. Dodgeball, handball, Star Wars, soccer, life size hungry hippo and student sumo wrestling were played until the early hours of the morning. Delicious food and drinks were available in the cafeteria the whole THON experience.

One of the most exciting things about THON was the hoverboard competition. To be eligible to win, students interested had to participate in specific games. The games included were limbo, hot potato, musical chairs and the hula hoop competition. Three winners from each game played a game of twister. The three students who win twister bobbed for apples to decide who won the hoverboard. Tobi Oliveira defeated Grace Wu and Michael Iverson.

THON was an amazing experience that raised over $13,000 to fight pediatric cancer. I can confidently say everyone left with great memories that they will remember for a long time.